A long-term Chelsea target, Jan Paul van Hecke is set to complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur and reunite with Roberto De Zerbi. This comes just as Chelsea desperately need a centre-back.
Xabi Alonso will take office on July 1, which in itself seems to be a bit of a mistake. Chelsea are being left behind by the likes of Spurs in the transfer window, with the Blues yet to do anything in terms of signings.
Who do you want to see Chelsea sign for each of these positions? 👀
These are the FOUR areas the club have identified for this summer…
- Goalkeeper
- Central defender
- Central midfielder
- Left winger
Without European football, it might be that Chelsea are trying to sell a few players before they look at new signings. Marc Cucurella has left Stamford Bridge for a £52m fee, choosing to join Real Madrid.
Chelsea need a top-quality centre-back this summer. Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato impressed towards the end of the season, while Josh Acheampong is ‘untouchable’. But aside from that, Chelsea need better.
Chelsea fans react as Tottenham agree van Hecke fee
For a while now, Chelsea have been linked with van Hecke. Of course, the Blues have a long history of raiding Brighton for their best players, including Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and the departing Cucurella.
But after signing Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali looking like a real possibility this summer, BBC say Spurs have agreed a £52m fee for van Hecke.
Chelsea fans have responded to the reports on social media. It is a move that some Chelsea fans wished their club had made, but with Alonso yet to take office, the Blues are still some way away from a signing.
There is a real sense of frustration among Chelsea fans, in reaction to Spurs getting their business done early. One fan said Chelsea have a “pathetic lack of ambition”, while another said “well done directors”.
One questioned Chelsea’s approach, with the Blues said to be targeting proven Premier League players but yet to actually do anything: “Other clubs are signing Premier League proven players”, he said.
Another said, “all we hear is monitoring, interested, watching and following” in response to the reports that Spurs are closing in on van Hecke. He added, “what a joke of a club we have become”.
Chelsea will have 10 centre-backs when pre-season begins
As aforementioned, Alonso will have plenty to sort out in the middle of the defence. Colwill, Hato and Acheampong will remain at Chelsea this summer, but the other seven remain completely up in the air.
Trevoh Chalobah might have got an England call-up, but has been poor and is in the final two years of his contract. Tosin Adarabioyo has also entered the last 24 months of his Chelsea contract this summer.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Mamadou Sarr and Benoit Badiashile have almost become forgotten players at Chelsea, while Wesley Fofana has been linked with an exit. Axel Disasi and Aaron Anselmino will return from loan spells.
Disasi is likely to be sold permanently, but Chelsea are planning to take a look at Anselmino during pre-season before Alonso makes a decision. Plenty that needs sorting and Chelsea need to get a move on.
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